Valve train carrier assembly

ABSTRACT

A valve train assembly includes an intake rocker arm, an exhaust rocker arm, a carrier configured to couple to a cylinder block and operably associated with the intake rocker arm and the exhaust rocker arm, the carrier including a first aperture, and a cylinder deactivation (CDA) capsule disposed within the first aperture. The CDA capsule is configured to move between a latched condition that transfers motion from a push rod to one of the intake rocker arm and the exhaust rocker arm, and an unlatched condition that absorbs motion from the push rod and does not transfer the motion to the intake rocker arm or the exhaust rocker arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/US2016/053543 filed Sep. 23, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/233,294 filed Sep. 25, 2015, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/318,519 filed Apr. 5, 2016. Thedisclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a valve train carrier assembly and,more particularly, to a valve train carrier assembly that incorporatescylinder deactivation capsules.

BACKGROUND

Some internal combustion engines can utilize rocker arms to transferrotational motion of cams to linear motion appropriate for opening andclosing engine valves. Deactivating rocker arms incorporate mechanismsthat allow for selective activation and deactivation of the rocker arm.In a deactivated state, the rocker arm may exhibit lost motion movement.However, conventional valve train carrier assemblies must be oftenmodified to provide a deactivating rocker arm function, which canincrease cost and complexity. Accordingly, while conventional valvetrain carrier assemblies with deactivating rocker arms work for theirintended purpose, there remains a need for an improved valve traincarrier assembly with deactivating rocker arms.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description that may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a carrier for a valve trainassembly having an intake rocker arm and an exhaust rocker arm, isprovided. The carrier includes a first aperture configured to receive afirst cylinder deactivation (CDA) capsule associated with the intakerocker arm, a second aperture configured to receive a second CDA capsuleassociated with the exhaust rocker arm, and a third aperture configuredto receive a fluid control device. The third aperture is fluidly coupledto the first aperture and the second aperture such that the fluidcontrol device can selectively supply a pressurized fluid to the firstand second CDA capsules to transition them between a latched positionand an unlatched position.

In addition to the foregoing, the described carrier may include one ormore of the following features: a first support wall, a second supportwall, and a support flange extending between the first support wall andthe second support wall; wherein the first, second, and third aperturesare formed in the support flange; wherein the first support wallincludes a body having a shaft aperture configured to receive a fixedshaft, and a plurality of apertures each configured to receive afastener; and wherein the second support wall includes a body having ashaft aperture configured to receive the fixed shaft, and a plurality ofapertures each configured to receive a fastener.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a cylinder deactivation(CDA) capsule for a valve train assembly having an intake rocker arm, anexhaust rocker arm, and a carrier having an aperture formed therein toreceive the CDA capsule is provided. The CDA capsule includes an outerbody, a plunger at least partially received within the outer body, theplunger configured to translate within the outer body, and a latchingmechanism operably associated between the outer body and the plunger.The latching mechanism is selectively movable between a latched positionthat facilitates preventing relative movement between the plunger andthe outer body, and an unlatched position that facilitates relativemovement between the plunger and the outer body.

In addition to the foregoing, the described CDA capsule may include oneor more of the following features: wherein the latching mechanismincludes a pair of opposed pins and a biasing mechanism disposedtherebetween; wherein each opposed pin includes a pin shoulderconfigured to abut against a shoulder of the outer body when thelatching mechanism is in the latched position; wherein the outer bodyincludes a fluid port configured to provide a supply of fluid to theopposed pins to move the latching mechanism from the latched position tothe unlatched position; wherein the outer body includes a fluidcommunication groove formed therein, the fluid communication groove influid communication with the fluid port; a biasing mechanism disposedbetween the plunger and the outer body, the biasing mechanism configuredto absorb motion of the plunger within the outer body when the latchingmechanism is in the unlatched position, to thereby provide a lost motionfeature; and wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a first spring anda second spring.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a valve train assemblyis provided. The valve train assembly includes an intake rocker arm, anexhaust rocker arm, a carrier configured to couple to a cylinder blockand operably associated with the intake rocker arm and the exhaustrocker arm, the carrier including a first aperture, and a cylinderdeactivation (CDA) capsule disposed within the first aperture. The CDAcapsule is configured to move between a latched condition that transfersmotion from a push rod to one of the intake rocker arm and the exhaustrocker arm, and an unlatched condition that absorbs motion from the pushrod and does not transfer the motion to the intake rocker arm or theexhaust rocker arm.

In addition to the foregoing, the described valve train assembly mayinclude one or more of the following features: wherein the carrierfurther includes a second aperture, the CDA capsule is a first CDAcapsule, and further comprising a second CDA capsule disposed within thesecond aperture; wherein the carrier further includes a third aperturefluidly coupled to the first and second apertures to selectively supplya fluid to the CDA capsules; further comprising an oil control valvedisposed within the third aperture; wherein the third aperture isfluidly coupled to the first aperture and the second aperture such thatthe oil control valve can selectively supply a pressurized fluid to thefirst and second CDA capsules to transition them between the latchedposition and the unlatched position; wherein at least one of the firstand second CDA capsules comprises an outer body, a plunger at leastpartially received within the outer body, the plunger configured totranslate within the outer body, and a latching mechanism operablyassociated between the outer body and the plunger, the latchingmechanism selectively movable between a latched position thatfacilitates preventing relative movement between the plunger and theouter body, and an unlatched position that facilitates relative movementbetween the plunger and the outer body; wherein the latching mechanismincludes a pair of opposed pins and a biasing mechanism disposedtherebetween; wherein each opposed pin includes a pin shoulderconfigured to abut against a shoulder of the outer body when thelatching mechanism is in the latched position; and wherein the first CDAcapsule is operably associated with the intake rocker arm, which isoperably associated with a bridge configured to push on at least oneintake valve, and wherein the second CDA capsule is operably associatedwith the exhaust rocker arm, which is operably associated with a bridgeconfigured to push an at least one exhaust valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example Type V valve trainarrangement having an example valve train carrier;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the valve train arrangement shown inFIG. 1 and taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example cylinder deactivation (CDA)capsule that may be used in the valve train arrangement shown in FIGS. 1and 2;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the CDA capsule shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the CDA capsule shown in FIG. 4 andtaken along line 5-5; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example oil flow control of thevalve train arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a Type V valve trainarrangement 10 is shown positioned on a cylinder block 11. It will beappreciated that while shown in a Type V arrangement, it is within thescope of the present disclosure for the various features describedherein to be used in other arrangements. In this regard, the featuresdescribed herein associated with the valve train arrangement 10 can besuitable to a wide variety of applications. The valve train arrangement10 can generally include an intake rocker arm 12, an exhaust rocker arm14, a valve train carrier 16, a first cylinder deactivation (CDA)capsule 18, and a second CDA capsule 20.

The intake rocker arm 12 is associated with an intake push rod 22, thefirst CDA capsule 18, a valve bridge 24, and intake valves 26, 28. Afirst cam lobe 29 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 and configuredto indirectly drive a first end 30 of the intake rocker arm 12 viaintake push rod 22. This pivots the intake rocker arm 12 about a fixedshaft 32, thereby causing a second end 34 of the intake rocker arm 12 topress the valve bridge 24 and actuate the valves 26, 28. As describedherein in more detail, the first CDA capsule 18 can be selectivelydeactivated to prevent actuation of the valves 26, 28 via the intakepush rod 22.

The exhaust rocker arm 14 is associated with an exhaust push rod 40, thesecond CDA capsule 20, a valve bridge 42, and exhaust valves 44, 46. Asecond cam lobe 47 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 and configuredto indirectly drive a first end 48 of the exhaust rocker arm 14 viaexhaust push rod 40. This pivots the exhaust rocker arm 14 about fixedshaft 32, thereby causing a second end 50 of the exhaust rocker arm 14to press the valve bridge 42 and actuate the valves 44, 46. As describedherein in more detail, the second CDA capsule 20 can be selectivelydeactivated to prevent actuation of the valves 44, 46 via the exhaustpush rod 40.

In the example implementation, the valve train carrier 16 generallyincludes a support flange 52 extending between a first support wall 54and a second support wall 56. First support wall 54 includes a body 58having an upper surface 60, a lower surface 62, and opposed side walls64 and 66. A plurality of apertures 68 are formed in body 58 and areconfigured to receive a fastener 70 (e.g., a bolt) to facilitatecoupling valve train carrier 16 to cylinder block 11. A shaft aperture72 is formed in body 58 and is configured to receive shaft 32therethrough.

Second support wall 56 includes a body 74 having an upper surface 76, alower surface 78, and opposed side walls 80 and 82. A plurality ofapertures 84 are formed in body 74 and are configured to receive afastener 86 (e.g., a bolt) to facilitate coupling valve train carrier 16to cylinder block 11. A shaft aperture 88 is formed in body 74 and isconfigured to receive shaft 32 therethrough.

In the example implementation, support flange 52 includes a body 90having a first aperture 92, a second aperture 94, and a third aperture96 formed therein (see FIG. 1). The first aperture 92 can receive thefirst CDA capsule 18, the second aperture 94 can receive the second CDAcapsule 20, and the third aperture 96 can receive an oil control valve(OCV) 98 (FIG. 1). The third aperture 96 is in fluid communication withthe first and second apertures 92, 94 such that OCV 98 can supply oil(or other fluid) thereto to selectively deactivate first and second CDAcapsules 18, 20, as described herein in more detail.

With additional reference to FIGS. 3-5, first and second CDA capsules18, 20 will be described in more detail. In some embodiments, CDAcapsules 18, 20 are utilized in a diesel engine in order to increaseexhaust temperature for exhaust thermal management when the exhaust isbelow a predetermined temperature, and improving engine fuel efficiencyduring low load operation. As capsules 18 and 20 are similar, only CDAcapsule 18 will be described. In the example implementation, CDA capsule18 can generally include an outer body 110, a plunger 112, a latchingmechanism 114, and a ball pivot 116.

Outer body 110 includes an oil communication groove 118 in fluidcommunication with a plurality of oil ports 120 via a plurality of oilchannels 122. Plunger 112 is disposed at least partially within outerbody 110 and is configured to selectively slide within the outer body110 when CDA capsule 18 is in an unlatched position (not shown). Ballpivot 116 is received within the plunger 112, and the ball pivot 116 isconfigured to interface with the push rod 22 (see FIG. 2). One or morebiasing mechanisms 124 (e.g., a spring) can be disposed between theplunger 112 and a cap 126 to absorb upward motion of pushrod 22 when CDAcapsule 18 is in the unlatched position, and the cap 126 can provide asliding interface with the rocker arm 12. The biasing mechanism 124 canbe configured to bias the plunger 112 outward from outer body 110 andabsorb motion of the push rod 22 when the CDA capsule 18 is in thedeactivation mode, thereby providing a lost motion feature.

Thus, when in an activated or latched position (FIG. 5), the CDA capsule18 acts as a unitary body and transfers motion from the push rod 22 tothe end 30 of rocker arm 12. In contrast, when the CDA capsule 18 is inthe deactivated or unlatched position, upward movement of push rod 22causes the plunger 112 to slide upward within outer body 110. Thebiasing mechanism 124 subsequently absorbs the upward motion of push rod22 without transferring said motion to the rocker arm 12.

In the example implementation, the latching mechanism 114 is configuredto selectively move between the latched position (FIG. 5) and theunlatched position (not shown). In the latched position, plunger 112 isprevented from movement relative to the outer body 110. In the unlatchedposition, plunger 112 is movable within and relative to the outer body110.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, latching mechanism 114 includes a pair ofopposed pins 130 having a biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring) 132arranged therebetween. The biasing mechanism 132 is configured to biaspins 130 away from each other and outward toward outer body 110. Assuch, when oil is not supplied to oil ports 120, biasing mechanism 132biases pins 130 outward such that a shoulder 134 of each pin 130 isdisposed adjacent a shoulder 136 of outer body 110. In this way, upwardmovement of plunger 112 is prevented by pin shoulder 134 abuttingagainst outer body shoulder 136, and the upward movement is transferredto outer body 110 and thus rocker arm 12.

However, when a signal is received to transition CDA 18, 20 to theunlatched position, OCV 98 provides a supply of oil to oil ports 120.The force of the supplied oil against pins 130 overcomes the biasingforce of biasing mechanism 132, and the pins 130 move toward each other.As such, pin shoulders 134 are moved out of engagement with outer bodyshoulders 136, thereby enabling upward movement of plunger 112 withinouter body 110 where biasing mechanisms 124 subsequently absorb theupward motion of push rod 22 and prevent transfer of the motion to therocker arm 12. Although a particular latching mechanism 114configuration is shown in FIGS. 2-5, it will be appreciated that thelatching mechanism 114 can have various configurations that enable valvetrain assembly 10 to function as described herein. For example, in onealternative configuration, latching mechanism 114 can include anelectromagnetic actuator (not shown) configured to receive a controllersignal to selectively retract and deploy a latching device (e.g., pins130) to enable and disable the CDA function, thereby obviating ahydraulic system and OCV 98.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram for an example control of the CDAcapsules 18, 20 in a normal operation (latched position) and a cylinderdeactivation mode (unlatched position). As shown, in the normaloperation, a pump 140 supplies fluid to a plurality of OCV's 98.However, in the normal operation, OCV's 98 do not supply the pressurizedfluid to the CDA capsules 18, 20. When switching to the cylinderdeactivation mode, a signal is sent from an ECU or controller 142 to theOCV's 98, and the OCV's subsequently supply the pressurized fluid to theCDA capsules 18, 20. The CDA capsules 18, 20 are then switched to theunlatched position to allow lost motion.

Described herein are systems and methods for providing cylinderdeactivation to a valve train carrier assembly. A carrier includes apair of bores to receive cylinder deactivation (CDA) capsules, which areeach arranged between a push rod and a rocker arm. The carrier includesa third bore to receive an oil control valve to selectively supply oilto the CDA capsules and transition the CDA capsules between a latchedposition and an unlatched position. In the latched position, pins extendinto abutting arrangement with an outer body of the CDA capsule toenable transfer of motion from the push rod to the rocker arm. In theunlatched position, supplied oil retracts the pin and enables relativemovement of CDA capsule components and absorption of the push rodmotion, thereby preventing transfer of motion from the push rod to therocker arm.

The foregoing description of the examples has been provided for purposesof illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive orto limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particularexample are generally not limited to that particular example, but, whereapplicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected example,even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be variedin many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure fromthe disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrier for a valve train assembly having an intake rocker arm and an exhaust rocker arm, the carrier comprising: a first support wall having a first support wall body that is configured to be coupled to an engine block, a support flange extending from the first support wall and having a support flange body that defines: a first aperture configured to receive a first cylinder deactivation (CDA) capsule associated with the intake rocker arm; a second aperture configured to receive a second CDA capsule associated with the exhaust rocker arm; and a third aperture configured to receive a fluid control device, wherein the third aperture is fluidly coupled to the first aperture and the second aperture such that the fluid control device selectively supplies a pressurized fluid to the first and second CDA capsules to transition the first and second CDA capsules between a latched position and an unlatched position.
 2. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a second support wall having a second support wall body; and wherein the support flange extends between the first support wall and the second support wall.
 3. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the first support wall has a shaft aperture configured to receive a fixed shaft, and a plurality of apertures each configured to receive a fastener.
 4. The carrier of claim 3, wherein the second support wall has a shaft aperture configured to receive the fixed shaft, and a plurality of apertures each configured to receive a fastener.
 5. A valve train assembly comprising: an intake rocker arm; an exhaust rocker arm; a carrier configured to couple to a cylinder block and to support the intake rocker arm and the exhaust rocker arm, the carrier including a first aperture, a second aperture, and a third aperture; a first cylinder deactivation (CDA) capsule disposed within the first aperture, the first CDA capsule configured to move between a latched condition that transfers motion from a push rod to one of the intake rocker arm and the exhaust rocker arm, and an unlatched condition that absorbs motion from the push rod and does not transfer the motion to the intake rocker arm or the exhaust rocker arm; and a second CDA capsule disposed within the second aperture; wherein the third aperture is fluidly coupled to the first and second apertures to selectively supply a fluid to the first and second CDA capsules.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising an oil control valve disposed within the third aperture.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the oil control valve selectively supplies a pressurized fluid to the first and second CDA capsules to transition the first and second CDA capsules between the latched condition and the unlatched condition.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second CDA capsules comprises: an outer body; a plunger at least partially received within the outer body, the plunger configured to translate within the outer body; and a latching mechanism operably associated between the outer body and the plunger, the latching mechanism selectively movable between a latched position that facilitates preventing relative movement between the plunger and the outer body, and an unlatched position that facilitates relative movement between the plunger and the outer body, wherein the latching mechanism includes a pair of opposed pins and a biasing mechanism disposed between the pair of opposed pins, wherein each opposed pin includes a pin shoulder configured to abut against a shoulder of the outer body when the latching mechanism is in the latched position.
 9. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the first CDA capsule is operably associated with the intake rocker arm, which is operably associated with a bridge configured to push on at least one intake valve, and wherein the second CDA capsule is operably associated with the exhaust rocker arm, which is operably associated with a bridge configured to push an at least one exhaust valve.
 10. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the first CDA capsule is operably associated with the intake rocker arm, which is configured to push on at least one intake valve, and wherein the second CDA capsule is operably associated with the exhaust rocker arm, which is configured to push on at least one exhaust valve.
 11. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the carrier is configured for one of a single cylinder and for multiple cylinders. 